EU 1.6: Series Spa preview

The leader on his land
The academicians will be seeing each other in Belgium, on the
Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, from 30th April to 2nd May within the World
Series by Renault. Having left leader of the F4 Eurocup 1.6 Championship,
Stoffel...

The leader on his land

The academicians will be seeing each other in Belgium, on the
Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, from 30th April to 2nd May within the World
Series by Renault. Having left leader of the F4 Eurocup 1.6 Championship,
Stoffel Vandoorne will have an extra advantage: that of racing at home.
Face to his public, the RACB National Team Steering Wheel hopes to
continue his success by adding a 2nd if not 3rd victory to his prize
list.

Following the example of his predecessor Benjamin Bailly, representing
the RACB and Champion in title, Stoffel Vandoorne picked up his first
victory as from the first meeting, during the 2nd race. We all know that
he is one of the drivers we shall have to watch closely this season. Just
like Norman Nato (Paca Steering Wheel) who will remain the very first
winner of this new International Series which is the F4 Eurocup 1.6. The
former French Go-kart Team driver (from 2007 to 2009) only has four
points delay and he is eager to catch up on the leader. The three heading
drivers are completed by the Centre Steering Wheel: Paul Lanchere. It is
certain that this is his 2nd season within the discipline but he pocketed
two podiums at Motorland Aragon through determination!

At eleven points from the provisional podium, Paul-Loup Chatin
(Poitou-Charentes Steering Wheel) and Jean-Baptiste Lahaye (Limousin
Steering Wheel) are equal in points and will have at heart to dig a
certain distance between themselves in Belgium. Another fight will also
be taking place between Mathieu Jaminet (Lorraine-Alsace Steering Wheel)
and Pierre Sancinena (Normandie Steering Wheel), equally placed, at one
unit from the previous duo. Awaited because of his status of second year
participant, first pole man of the season, Franck Matelli (Corsican
Steering Wheel) was lucky to be able to get himself out of the gravel pit
during the first race in order to place himself in 5th position. He could
have hoped better the next day but his car abandoned him in the first
lap. With two points less on his counter, Alexandre Mantovani
(Ile-de-France and ACO-AutoHebdo Steering Wheel) has without doubt proved
his competitiveness! He is a serious opponent who sincerely hopes to come
back in points in Belgium.

Behind him, Tristan Papavoine (Bourgogne Franche-Comte Steering Wheel),
Sebastien Le Bras (Bretagne-Pays de la Loire Steering Wheel) and Nicolas
De Moura (Auvergne Steering Wheel) will be quarrelling over the best
place. Who will take advantage? The verdict will fall at the end of the
two Belgian races. For the eight other drivers: Valentin Simonet
(New-Caledonian Steering Wheel), the French-Swiss Maxime Raphoz
(Rhône-Alpes Steering Wheel), Alexandre Jouannem-Sivan (Nord-Picardie
Steering Wheel), Alexandre Anezo (Languedoc-Roussillon Steering Wheel),
Maxime Bourcet, the Moroccan Hamza El Fatouaki and the two girls Marie
Baus-Coppens (Champagne-Ardenne Steering Wheel) and the Italian Giada de
Zen, the objective will be to leave Spa with the opening of their counter
of points.

SCHEDULE Free Tests at 12.25pm & 4.55pm on Friday 30th April > Qualifying
Session at 11am and Race 1 at 4.35pm on Saturday 1st May > Race 2 at
10.50am on Sunday 2nd May